The Beast? No, I Don't Think So!

Dear Mr. President,

I was traveling on Route 114 in Rhode Island this morning and there were police cars surrounding picketers. The picketers were waving their placards adamantly. It was a struggle to stay on the road and see what they said. However the big lettering on the posters made it easy. They were all about the Health Care Reform, every one of them. One said, "Stop the Beast!"

You and I both know they were referring to you. My insides flinched. I might disagree with you but I would never call you a beast. You are a man who desired to run for president. You and your team successfully communicated with the younger generation via their mode of communication such as facebook, emails etc. winning their votes . You raised money like a mad man determined to raise as much capital needed for the hoped for business plan. You did it, you were successful. But beast? No, I don't think so.

Your wife validates you. Michele does not look like a woman who would stay married to a beast. And though her mother looks quiet you can tell she has steel for a backbone and if you mess with her daughter or her grandchildren.....you'll pay! So, Mr. President, beast I would not call you. I am sorry for these strong labels and I hope that you keep it all in perspective.

Americans are awakened. They, we, have been sleeping for too long. You are going to have to give us some time to get the sleepies out of our eyes and the morning grumps worked out. Being called a beast is what an early morning riser could be accused of, you just have to give us room.

I will always look back on your administration as the time when Rumpelstiltskin, a.k.a. the American woke up. You did it, you have engaged us. Now, it behooves you to listen, take notes, and reflect on how you should proceed. There are some great ideas in this land and it is time you harvest those great ideas.

Though I am a republican I will do my part to encourage my fellow republicans to not bash you just because they disagree. We are all in this together.

Here's a thought. Why not create a contest of sorts that has to do with the Health Care Reform.
Why not award the state that successfully pulls off a Health Care Program that follows a set of criteria established by your administration (and established with the help of "WISE" people.)
For example,the state that insures 100% of their indigents is awarded a monetary value to be determined. Actually why don't you create a series of contests with a variety of criterias?! Mr. President, you need to get creative. Step out of the politics paradigm and enter the REAL world.

Today, I lift up my prayers for the family that lost a great family member, Ted Kennedy. May you learn from his successes and his mistakes and may you continue to pour into your family with us much persistence as you used trying to become President. When all is said and done and life comes to a close as it has for Ted Kennedy the only thing that will matter to you is your relationship with your children and wife!
Think on these things!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

"Let Them Eat Cake!"

Dear Mr. President,

As I viewed the picture of your family walking out of Air Force One I couldn't decide how I felt or how I was to feel. What fun for your children to be experiencing life like this and hopefully you will help them keep it all in perspective. What fun for your wife to be experiencing life like this. But then I wonder what you and your family are communicating by this extravagant visit and are you tracking, are you really putting your ear to the ground and understanding what you are conveying?

I am the last one to be a wet blanket, I love opportunities. However, as a mother of six children, owner with my husband of two businesses that are hand to mouth existing, vacations are few and far between. Our oldest daughter got married just two weeks ago. To prepare for the reception in our back yard, I was out gardening from late spring up until now. All the while trying to figure out where the money for the wedding was coming from .

The nation is financially struggling, many people are losing their homes, their businesses, their careers and you are staying on an island at a home that's worth beyond what most of us will ever see. Why aren't we all in politics, I don't get it?

You have requested privacy and that is understandable for a movie star but honestly, Mr. President, not for the President of the United States. It is our tax money (quite the struggle to pay) that you are using. You don't have the luxury of privacy for things such as this. You owe us a view into your time. You ran for office and not under duress, you knew this was part of it.

Most Americans respect you and your wife's need for protecting your young daughters from the public eye and scrutiny but how you are handling this vacation is making me uncomfortable with your lack of transparency during it, it verges on elitism, not going over well! We Americans are taking note and I can safely say that these notes are bipartisan.

Again, who is advising you on such things?

Of course, I believe we all need to have some rest and relaxation but you had an opportunity to show the nation how to do it within reason, not in such affluence. And now you are shutting the door and requesting privacy, this is rude. "Let them eat cake" is all I hear communicated through your Martha Vineyard Vacation.

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

When Will You Meet with those in the Trenches of the Medical Profession?

Dear Mr. President,

Good morning. I believe you are in Martha's Vineyard this week. Hopefully hurricane Bill will only add to the marvel of it all and not detract from a needed vacation. As you take time to rest ( and honestly how do you do that as president?) please allow yourself to let your mind wander to different scenerios that you might not have in D.C.

You need to make sure that the voices you are surrounded by are the voices that will help the United States remain a blessed nation. Do not take for granted God's blessing on this country and do not take for granted God's moral laws. Don't mess with those Mr. President and if you are unsure of what I mean please do what needs to be done to determine what I mean.

I am with my mother for the week to attend to her after her open heart surgery on Monday. Today the visiting nurse visited. I asked her what her take was on the Health Care Reform Bill. I wasn't sure if she would engage or if she would politely let me know that this is not what she came to do. She engaged.

She had some excellent ideas. I encouraged her to write to you, to talk to her elected officials and to not just sit on her wisdom. These are the men and women I am talking about when I ask you, Mr. President, to search for the wisdom of the land amongst the citizens. She wonders where are the Doctors in all of this, what are they thinking. She feels there is an eery silence and wonders why.

She thinks you are a genius and yet she has no faith in the government being able to manage such a mammoth beast as the Health Care Reform, no faith whatsoever. She believes there is a problem with insurance companies such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield who keep care from patients. She in contrast sees herself as a part of the medical community that desires to see care given where need be regardless of cost.

She sees a real need for the ER rooms to be managed better and better options for indigents rather than the ER rooms. More clinics is clearly a need in her mind. This woman would do you well to talk to and it confirms my belief that the creative solutions are roaming the streets and your challenge is to allow them to roam into the White House. Let the Doctors and Nurses, the clinicians figure this one out. The insurance companies should stay seated until the medical profession works out the kinks.

Focus on the uninsured, don't mess with the insured. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
Start with the poorest of poor and go from there. Rush not, only fools rush in.

Enjoy Martha's Vineyard and make sure you take advantage of the this time with the three women who matter the most!

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

Engage the public about the public insurance

Dear Mr. President,
Good morning! Are you a coffee drinker? My husband and I have started a small coffee business, www.TwinValleyCoffee.com. A couple of years ago my husband, Lynn, began roasting. We were entertaining some missionary friends who brought with them a hostess gift of their home roasted coffee beans. We had no grinder and ended up trying our blender. This was the beginning of the good smells in my kitchen.

Lynn is an entrepreneur and I thought this was another rabbit trail that often takes more money than makes more money. Not so. We have discovered that he is an exceptional roaster, who would have thought? He has since created quite the local following in our area. We sell to the grocery store in town and to a couple of local farm stores.

All this to say I am drinking my one cup a day surrounded by the smell of a coffee shop in my own kitchen. I wish I could give you a try of our coffee. I can imagine the furor if I would try to send you a package in the mail. If you like coffee, you'd love his roast. Maybe someday if I have the privilege of meeting you face to face I will be able to give you one or two bags (or however many you want within reason).

Though I do not understand all that the Health Care Reform entails, means, hints at, etc. etc. I do know one thing, I can identify with your frustration of not feeling heard. I marvel at how things can be jumbled in the listeners mind even when you know you are making yourself perfectly clear. And the question is what to do, how can we pull the listener onto the same page? This is the trick and for the sake of America I pray that your points to be communicated will be communicated well. We need to know exactly what you have in mind.

Having six children has given me some help in trying to pull people onto the same page as well as showing me how difficult it is. All six of my children have six different and unique personalities and six different ways of hearing. Some of them readily agree with me and I know instantly they are not listening. Some of them argue the entire time ,totally engaged and are easier to pull onto the page than the readily agreed ones. And what it ofttimes boils down to is not giving up, but rather having the persistence in relaying the message in a variety of ways.

Why don't you pose some questions and ask the American people to do a bit of research on their own. Ask them what does it mean when one says the following; single-payer, public option, nationalization, socialization etc. etc. What do you like about your health care at present? What don't you like about your health care at present? What keeps you up at night in regards to your health care?

When you ask people questions in a transitional period, a crossroad moment, you are engaging them to be part of the solution. You are asking them to invest their thoughts along with yours to this mammoth issue. People appreciate the recognition that their input is valid. When their approval is required without giving them the dignity of involvement, you are setting yourself up for a mountain climb in winning them over to your side.

Mr. President, I am here to help. I am not here to agree but I am here to help. I cannot put you in a box and cynically view you as trying to lead our nation into a straight jacket government where you say jump and we say how high? You deserve more credit than that. We don't know you, you need time.

It all boils down to communication and if you keep in mind the need to respect the American's need to be engaged in this issue I do believe you'll make some progress. Start by asking the Americans the questions that hound you on this Health Care Issue, the questions that are before the congress. Ask the right questions, engage the public.

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20

You are a good man, Mr. President. Have a good day.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

Familiarizing Myself with Unfamiliar Terms

Dear Mr. President,

Good morning. I am trying to become more educated with some of the terms that I am hearing for the first time. You are responsible for this interest and I want to thank you. This morning I am roaming through different websites trying to inform myself about single-payer health care and public option. I had never heard these terms before your administration and I believe now is the time to understand the definition of these emerging “household” phrases. Where have I been?

Here all along ( all along defined as the amount of time since I heard the phrase- all of two months- and now) I thought single-payer health care referred to the patient, a single-patient paying. But in fact it refers to the fund that pays for the patient's care. I go to the doctor and the doctor receives payment from one fund no matter who his patient is. I sit in the waiting room with a number of people and we all receive services and the payment for those services is from one fund. There is not a myriad of different papers for the secretary to fill out reflecting each patients' different insurance companies, just one.

I realize that there is more to this than what I am describing but am I on the right track? So, now the question is where is the source of the money coming from that feeds this single- fund? Is it taxes, or money that would have been spent on the patient's health insurance premiums?So, the money is coming from the government but it's not being paid to government workers, correct? That would be socialism, correct?

Is this something that could really work? Is the government capable of efficiently running something like this? I am praying that clarity will be given to you as you plow through the many issues you face.

May God bless you, Mr. President!
Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

Thank you for pulling the plug on flag@whitehouse.gov!

Dear Mr. President,

Yes!! Thank you for shutting down this monitoring of rumors. I was happy to read this in the morning news:
"Following a furor over how the data would be used, the White House has shut down an electronic tip box — flag@whitehouse.gov — that was set up to receive information on “fishy” claims about President Barack Obama’s health plan. Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/26188.html#ixzz0OXVdHcQW"

We, Americans, are not looking for perfection, we are looking for an administration willing to listen to us the people who are part of this nation. We know we make mistakes, it's the humanness of us all and when we recognize our mistakes and rectify them we become even more loved by others. I am grateful that your administration is listening to the people and rectifying your mistakes. This will endear you to the people.

Yesterday I was talking to a man in his fifties, it didn't go so well. He is a devout democrat, truly devout and I was telling him that I have been emailing you. I am not quite sure where or why the conversation went south but south it went.

I asked him about this collecting of rumors that could be sent to flag@whitehouse.gov. I wasn't clear if he really knew about this but he adamantly agreed with it. He thought it an excellent idea.

He called me self-righteous and honestly I can't even remember why I was given that label. The conversation became confusing to me. I had warned him I am not smart enough for a rousing debate of the Ivy league sort. I didn't need to warn him I don't think there was any Ivy league debate going on between the two of us. I deal in simple, common thoughts and ways on a issue that makes more sense to the person next door than the person in the dorm.

He wondered what I thought about the Health Care Reform and I commented that I thought the Administration needed to give it time. He said it needed to be pushed through or it will never happen. I said that I didn't know enough about it and I needed more clear information. He didn't seem to hear that. By his reactions I could tell he thought I was preposterous for wanting more information. I believe he translated my caution about the speed of pushing the bill as a total disagreement with the bill.

He also made it perfectly clear how ridiculous it was for me to have our state representative come, pre-election, to my house to talk about the state of affairs. The state representative is a republican and a Christian. I think that combination for him is nauseating. I had not remembered telling him about the state representative's visits but clearly he was tracking the political events in our home.

I told him he was putting me in a box and this began what I call the monkey act. He mimicked everything that I said and before I understood how far he was going to take this we were into a mirror, mimic scene. "Caps For Sale" have you and your daughters read this? That's all I could think of when he repeated everything I said.

It went like this:

"You are putting me in a box, " I said.

"You are putting me in a box," he replied.

"I can't believe this."

"I can't believe this."

"Wow."

"Wow."

Thankfully two of my friends came to the door. They wanted to help clean up after our daughter's wedding this weekend. As you can see there's not a whole lot of wisdom that went back and forth between the fifty year old man and myself. I thanked him for coming and said goodbye.

I love a debate. I enjoy talking with people who have opposing views. I revel in diversity,I have never surrounded myself with people of the same views. When I am with people who are all alike I am bored and the word that comes to my mind is "milk toast." But this was no debate, this kind of banter doesn't even come close to a debate.

All this to say, I desire for our nation to be filled with people of opposing views who are willing to talk and listen, talk and listen, talk and listen. Wisdom is listening, thinking, processing, calculating, not reacting without thinking, nor rushing headlong into a decision without calculating.

Mr. President, I believe I am seeing wisdom come out of your administration. This is not surprising to me. I know you are more than capable. You have been gifted by the Gifter, this in and of itself marks you a remarkable man. I ask you to raise the bar and encourage us to be civil and cordial with one another as we discuss our views.

You showed us how we can come together after hurtful words. In your backyard you had Sgt. Crowley and Mr. Gates come over for a beer. Thank you for that! As a president you can encourage people to think and not rush into passing bills before they are truly understood.
We look to you for clear leadership! Lead with wisdom. Just make sure it's wisdom from the right source.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Burkholder

Have we asked the Canadians about our Health Care Bill?

Dear Mr. President,

If your weekend was as splendid as mine you are truly facing the week with all the joy and hope and contentment that I have. This weekend my daughter's heart was finally satisfied with marrying the man she knew to be hers since she was sixteen.

Life is full of contrasts. This weekend my mother could not attend the wedding, she was watching via webcam operated by my brother because her heart was in need of bypass surgery and the traveling, potential excitement, possible stress was too much to risk. Two hearts, one content and beyond beyond and one sad, sick in need of help.

The surgeon called my mother on Sunday to see how my mother was doing to comfort her the day before the surgery. Health care in America.

Mr. President, please read this

"The pitch for change at the conference is to start with a presentation from Dr. Robert Ouellet, the current president of the CMA (Canadian Medical Association), who has said there's a critical need to make Canada's health-care system patient-centred. He will present details from his fact-finding trip to Europe in January, where he met with health groups in England, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands and France.

His thoughts on the issue are already clear. Ouellet has been saying since his return that "a health-care revolution has passed us by," that it's possible to make wait lists disappear while maintaining universal coverage and "that competition should be welcomed, not feared."
(http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jbjzPEY0Y3bvRD335rGu_Z3KXoQw)

The Canadians want their health-care system patient-centered. Hmmm, now this is fascinating. We have what they want and we want they have.

This is what I have observed in my life. At critical points, turns, crossroads, obstacles it is crucial to stop, look, and listen. Wisdom will guide us if we ask for wisdom. Mr. President, I am not convinced that your aides, your "wise men" of your administration, are the wise men you want and need.

You would not believe the bad rap you and your administration are receiving over your desire to recieve "fishy info." Not good. Truly what were you folks thinking, or not thinking. Where are your bright men and women? Honestly, this couldn't get any more un-american.

Why don't you all take a real (pun intended) fishing trip. Catch the fish you can eat, throw back the ones you can't and make a good meal at the end of the day. There's nothing fishy about this. Inactivate that email address, put the retrievers of "fishy information" to better, more dignified work. You must live up to what you were created for, good deeds.

Blessing on your day, Mr. President. Let me know what I can do to help, just remember I do have opinions.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

Focus on Hope-the Right One!

Dear Mr. President,

I hope your day proves to be a substantially good day. It is raining in Elverson. This weekend our daughter will be married and the reception is in our back yard. We are praying for weather that will allow such activity. Gardening in my backyard all summer long has afforded me much time to ponder and pray for our nation. There is Hope.

Hope placed in an individual is exactly what I am talking about. This Hope needs to be completely focused on one person. Many focused on you. Although this was/is flattering, you and I both know how fickle popular opinion is and how incapable you are of fixing the nation's ills. The nation's Hope must only rely on the Creator and Savior. This individual is THE only Messiah for this nation and every other nation since the beginning of time.

It has been said that you are a christian. Allow the Judeo/Christian worldview to permeate your White House endeavors. Pray for wisdom from the only one who can provide you with Hope. What an opportunity you have been given.

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

A democratic blogger's point of view

Dear Mr. President,

Ms. Camille Paglia is a democrat and a blogger of whom I enjoy checking in on every once in a while. She is refreshing, doesn't cut any corners and gets right to the point. I enjoy hearing the otherside's point of view and she is definitely a clear thinking democrat. She proves they are out there. Ms. Paglia is one of your supporters, Mr. President, but not the kind that nods her head in subdued obedience afraid of being reported. Here is what she wrote today.

"I just don't get it. Why the insane rush to pass a bill, any bill, in three weeks? And why such an abject failure by the Obama administration to present the issues to the public in a rational, detailed, informational way? The U.S. is gigantic; many of our states are bigger than whole European nations. The bureaucracy required to institute and manage a nationalized health system here would be Byzantine beyond belief and would vampirically absorb whatever savings Obama thinks could be made. And the transition period would be a nightmare of red tape and mammoth screw-ups, which we can ill afford with a faltering economy." http://www.salon.com/opinion/paglia/2009/08/12/town_halls/

If you are closely listening to this nation, Ms. Paglia is expressing our sentiments well. There is nothing fishy about this, the burden lies on your administration to present the issues in a clear fashion that makes sense to "common" man. Just remember that when I say "common" it does not in any way shape or form mean unintelligent, dull, boring, lacking,etc., etc. "Common" takes on a spectacular meaning when used of man.

I am beginning to wonder if this is your Administrations' biggest problem, your inability to assume intelligence when relaying pertinent information to the "common" man. Your administration is lacking in common sense and clear communication. Common sense is what has kept our nation running and common sense is clearly running out in the White House as we hear jumbled communication coming from the Administration. Talk to us, Mr. President, talk to us clearly.

You have in the land of the free, free men and women who revel in common sense, who frown on the simpletons with massive degrees. Those of us with common sense can sniff out a knuckle- head ten feet away. They can have as many degrees trailing behind them as they like but when all they do is talk on and on and can't fix a darn thing, don't know how to change a tire, check their oil, build a shed, or do handy work to keep their houses in order we know they are lacking.

Let Ms. Pagalia's words ring through your mind, "Byzantine beyond belief!" Let those words wake you up at night, "Byzantine beyond belief!" Mr. President, there is nothing to rush towards and you want to know what we all think? We think you don't realize you are rushing towards a cliff. Don't do it! Stand back and surround yourself with wisdom!

I'll end my email today with Ms. Paglia's closing words.

"And what do Democrats stand for, if they are so ready to defame concerned citizens as the "mob" -- a word betraying a Marie Antoinette delusion of superiority to ordinary mortals. I thought my party was populist, attentive to the needs and wishes of those outside the power structure. And as a product of the 1960s, I thought the Democratic party was passionately committed to freedom of thought and speech.

But somehow liberals have drifted into a strange servility toward big government, which they revere as a godlike foster father-mother who can dispense all bounty and magically heal all ills. The ethical collapse of the left was nowhere more evident than in the near total silence of liberal media and Web sites at the Obama administration's outrageous solicitation to private citizens to report unacceptable "casual conversations" to the White House. If Republicans had done this, there would have been an angry explosion by Democrats from coast to coast. I was stunned at the failure of liberals to see the blatant totalitarianism in this incident, which the president should have immediately denounced. His failure to do so implicates him in it."

Please read what Ms. Paglia has to say,this is good, this is good.

Please take some moments today to pray for wisdom. I will pray for you as well.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Burkholder

Put your ear to the ground, hear the rumble.

Dear Mr. President,

Mr. President, good morning. I am hoping your weekend was restful. I can not imagine how a president juggles all the tasks facing him every day. You have the country looking to you for fine quality leadership and then you have two little girls looking to you for clear fatherly leadership. You are in my prayers.

Not only do your children need for you to lead them, my children need for you to lead this nation with wisdom. My grandchildren just by being born face debt right off the bat. Your grandchildren do as well. How can our country turn that around? Do you realize we can? Do you believe that the American people are capable of this?


We want you, Mr. President, to believe in the American people. The leaders that are successful are the ones who want to empower. You are surrounded by people who are capable of leading our nation out of debt and into freedom. However, though they surround you I don't believe they are in close proximity to you.


Look at what Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer have to say, this just has to be the most outlandish thing.

"However, it is now evident that an ugly campaign is underway not merely to misrepresent the health insurance reform legislation, but to disrupt public meetings and prevent members of Congress and constituents from conducting a civil dialogue. These tactics have included hanging in effigy one Democratic member of Congress in Maryland and protesters holding a sign displaying a tombstone with the name of another congressman in Texas, where protesters also shouted "Just say no!" drowning out those who wanted to hold a substantive discussion." http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/08/unamerican-attacks-cant-derail-health-care-debate-.html



Mr. President, you have to do something about them, Nancy and Steny, not the protesters. The people surrounding you are not encouraging differences of opinion. An "ugly campaign " is how they describe the protest. Now the effigy is taking it a bit too far but you need to listen, listen to the protests, listen to the protesters. What are they saying? How can you answer them? What information have you not clearly expressed? Do not allow your administration to quell the crowd because they disagree or are providing "fishy" information.

So many of my friends are talking about this request of "fishy" information from your administration and honestly we are guffawing. There is no better word to describe our disbelief that you have allowed your administration to request the American people to tattle. Someone said that they are discovering that this is illegal. You might want to check that out?

Please, Mr. President, seek for wisdom, look for it in the common places. The "common" man has immeasurable capabilities for the sole reason that he is created by the one who calls Himself, "I AM." Mr. President, you are in such an amazing position afforded with phenomenal opportunities. How can I help you accomplish them?



Have a good day and remember to not take for granted your family!

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

Make John Peter Zenger proud!

August 6, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

Is this true?

“There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.”

Information that seems fishy? You are really asking people to tattle? Are you giving us more of a view into your parenting than you want to? In my circles of friends this is not acceptable. Tattling is viewed as wimpy, a true weeny child with no backbone. My friends and I are trying to raise children with strong values, and a solid character.

Since when do we try to curtail rumors? Since when do we want to keep track of them? Honestly, there are folks frustrated in the White House because they can not keep track of all the disinformation? Yikes. Mr. President, you can stop all of this. You can stand tall amongst this group of people wasting their time wanting to know what every one is saying about the Health Care Reform that they feel is not true.

I know, I know, you want the truth to be known about the reform. You don't want people to misconstrue what it's really saying. Just remember that truth is truth and truth sets one free. In the end truth remains, rest in that. Don't allow your administration to waste their time in encouraging the american people to engage in one of the most universal, disrespected, anti-american endeavor of tattling.

If this health care reform has any merit it will stand on its own. Why don't you see this "fishy disinformation" as helping you to trouble shoot? You do know there is always another way to look at something. Help your administration to perfect the art of keeping perspective, not in tattling.

I'm hoping you were not aware of this quote. I can't imagine you would have allowed this to be sent. I'm trusting we are not forgetting Freedom of Speech....you are going to do something about this, correct?

Mr. President, you want to encourage our nation to work together. You want the United States to remain united. You have a ways to go in this endeavor, and the first thing you should do is discourage these kinds of memos from coming out of the White House. Tell me you don't have a bunch of adults who were the weeny kids tattling on their brothers and sisters?! Some people never learn.

What I'd like to know is what are you going to do with all the people who disagree with this Health Care Reform? Are you going to do something with them? I'm not clear on why you want "fishy info" sent to the White House.

Here's how I handle these things, I deal with this all the time. I know the information I have communicated either to a class or a group of people or my own six children. Talk about fishy information coming back! You'd think I was speaking in a different language! I don't ask for anyone to keep ears to the ground for this. I ignore it, move on, and when someone wants to come and make a clear logical point about what they didn't like about what I said, I listen.
We are adults, let's act like it.

You are in an awesome position. Please discourage these types of memos in the land of the free. You have had a fair share of history lessons in your lifetime. You've heard of John Peter Zenger? Now that's a man of courage and these are the kind of men the American people love to remember, the ones who are willing to put their money where their mouth is. Refresh your memory of John Peter Zenger and share it with your daughters and tell them to watch you closely as you make strides to keep this nation free while upholding the freedom of speech that came at a price!!!

We must never take our freedom of speech for granted. Our diversity, our differences of opinons are what unite us, don't forget that Mr. President, don't forget that! I am a republican, I have a democratic President. Am I leaving the country? No, because this nation allows for checks and balances, this nation allows for differences. We must revel in this.

God Bless you, Mr. President, in this endeavor. I believe that you will do the right thing. The truth will set you free.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Burkholder

Time Travel

It is like having a baby. I'm asked, "are you ready?" I'm getting there is my reply.

Robyn, my oldest will be married in eight days. To this culture she will be a young bride at age twenty-one. Her future husband is twenty-six and has waited patiently for this moment.

We are praying for a beautiul evening that will be still, no wind, full of warm orange/yellow sunlight casting shadows on the lawn, and a perfect temperature with no dew created on the green grass.

Last Friday was the night I had been requesting. I stood still in my yard and declared it. Ahh yes, let it be, let it be.

We have planned many outdoor events in our back yard with optimism that makes one gag.
When I'm asked if we are going to have a canopy I love watching the faces. Ohhhh, o.k., well that's interesting, so what ARE you going to do?

We're going for the gusto. If a storm decides to come on us fast and furious it will be great fun to challenge ourselves with; how many people can fit into the studio, how many people can fit into our home, how many people can fit into our suburban? We'll have fun.

I have been in my yard all spring, all summer, and now that I've created my bit of heaven, all fall. What a blast to have an excuse to do this. My twelve year old helped me to see that. "Mom, you 've been given the best excuse to do exactly what you love to do!" Perceptive little guy.

It's the countdown. Will I cry? Just yesterday I was close to it. This is surreal, I'm the same person. Aren't you suppose to be different with all these rights of passage. I keep taking my same self everywhere! My daughter who was born yesterday is getting married in a little more than a week. She will be starting her family next Saturday (by virtue of her marriage).
Please pray with my specs I shared in mind. Thank you!

Reverence for Life

Dear Mr. President,

We are here in this world for a reason. Both of our mothers allowed us to be born. We were allowed to live, to discover, to create, to contemplate, to marry, to have children. What a priviledge.

I believe in life and I believe that I have no right to take life from anyone.

I believe in the intricacies of human life and that because of how amazing our bodies are there had to be a creator. I'm not at all interested in upsetting the creator. I look around and there has not been one person that I have met that I am not awed by (even those who tick me off).

I do not want any of my money destroying life. I believe that when that egg and sperm meet there is life. This is marvelous, this is cause for reverence. What I cannot see, what I cannot understand never means that I have the right to destroy it.

Please make sure that this Health Care Reform never allows for public money to be spent in destroying life. Our country is paying a high price for the reckless taking of someone else' s life. Those fighting for the right to live our the ones in this country to be honored. They are true soldiers fighting for freedom. Freedom to live.

Do what you have to do to stand by life, to support life, and to honor life. It will go well with you.

Please have a good day and take time for reflection on all the lives that have been snuffed out by individauls who have chosen to not reverence life, who have chosen to make blind decisions for an individual that was created at conception. And maybe the creation of the person was before conception. There are many mysteries that must not be taken for granted.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Burkholder

ps. Where is the lawyer for that life hidden in a womb?

Happy Birthday, Mr. President

August 5, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

Good Morning!
Happy Birthday to you. Did you ever imagine that you would be celebrating your birthday in the White House with two lovely young daughters and a beautiful wife???????????

I am praying for you today that you would revel in the day of your birth and recognize the uniqueness and marvelousness of life. You were given the right to be born. You were uniquely created and when you leave this earth there is no replacement for you. The mold that was used for you will never be used again. This is why each life is critical and so important. The moment the Barack Obama cell began was the day you were to be respected.

God created you for good works even before He created the world. That is an awesome thought and it's not original, it is taken from the Book. What are the good works He created you for? Obviously the presidency. You have a unique and momentous opportunity to be the solution for the ills that plague the United States.

Humility is required for your position. Humility to seek the good men of God who desire compassionate and unique solutions for the citizens of the United States.

Today on August 5, 2009 may your day be blessed with the recognition that you are loved by a wonderful family, a White House staff, and citizens of the United States.

Stand tall, go deep, pray hard, serve with humility, and find the wise men of God. These wise men will surround you not only with love but with truth.

Blessings,

Mrs. Burkholder

Go Deep, Mr. President, Go Deep

August 4, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

Good morning. It is another day to enjoy. I hope you are able to revel in the relationships you are surrounded by. Are your daughters enjoying their stint at the White House? All that they are learning will be immeasurable for them in life. Don't forget they are your first concern along with you wife. If you don't make time for them now and even if your presidency ends on a good note it will be difficult to face the sadness looking out from their eyes. Take time with them. I'm sure you are.

The news again reports people actually chanting, “Just say no!” to what they are calling Obamacare. Or to a congressman in NY they are chanting, “Silent no more!” This congressman is not representing them, they are ticked off and not going to have it anymore.

The American people have awakened, are you aware of this? I venture to say that there is coming a time when you will have no options but to listen. Interesting that the media is reporting that these angry Americans are sent out by Republican and Libertarian parties..........Honestly, C'mon, the media needs to give credit where credit is due. You certainly don't believe that you became president of noodles, do you? Why would you have wanted to do that? You do give the nation credit, correct?

Your popularity is dropping. There are Joker posters in LA and no one knows who is responsible. There is a video circulating where you are saying that you eventually want to see it go to a single payer health care plan. People are chanting in their streets against their democratic elected officials. I guess you could say, “the party is over.” (the pun wasn't intended and still isn't, differences are needed in this nation)

I watch you and you impress me as someone who has the potential to be a solid president, a significant president. For pete's sake you got yourself elected, everything else is gravy. It was an historical moment. But you will only go down in history as truly significant if you take the time to make wise decisions. If you are changing your mind about certain things, tell us. We all understand changing one's mind. Your words in the past are catching up to you. Have you changed your tune or are you still consistent with how you felt back then? Here's hoping you changed your tune?!

Again, find the wise men and there is a wise man who will meet with you anytime, anywhere for anything. He just needs to be asked. Go deep, President Obama, go deep.
I am praying for you and I know many others are as well. You are significant. Make sure you snuggle with those daughters today!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Burkholder

Too Clunky

Dear Mr. President,

Good Afternoon. Is it less humid in DC as it is in Elverson, PA? What a beautiful day.

Let's talk for a bit. I was reading about the “Cash for Clunkers” program. It doesn't sound like things are going so well. Maybe the program is a wee bit Clunky?

There are so many wise people in our nation who I'm convinced have not been asked to weigh in on programs such as this. It is easy for a population of politicians to pander to the majority and become a bit dull on critical issues while living right in their midst are wise men and women who would offer advice upon being asked. Wise people tend to be so humble and tend to open their mouths only when asked. (I have a ways to go!)

All I can think of is “Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.” Your daughters have surely read this or even you might have read it to them. There's a role for these engines like there was a basement for the Mike's steam shovel.

Did anyone give thought to the consequences of this program, a yard full of inoperable machines, not available to that family visiting the junk yard trying to make ends meet looking for an affordable engine? The past four years we have survived four accidents, thankfully. Unfortunately we lost four cars. Only one of those accidents was our fault, only one. It's been tough with five driving members of our family and three more to hit the road (not in the near future but in the future). We were just at the junk yard in the winter looking for a cheap part.

I laugh at how we concern ourselves with such things as “Global Warming” and then turn around and balance ourselves with a junk yard of non-recyclable engines. This is when I wish I had the mind of an inventor. Surely something splendid can be done with these clunky engines. Center pieces? Put them in a shadow box on the wall like you might an old antique garden on the wall? Naw, too heavy.

Government needs to be contained. You do realize that as we watch this clunky program overflow with clunky problems our minds race to the Health Care arena and for some you prove their point, government should not have control of this.

Let's make sure this Health Care Reform is truly helpful and not government driven. Is that possible? Let's make it possible.

Did you find some wise men? Did you ask for wisdom? I promise you this, if you seek diligently for wisdom and ask for it God will give you just what you ask for! I dare you. These are exciting times to look for unique solutions, solutions that the American people know how to come up with, go to them.

Affirm the innovative strain that runs through this nation, that waits to solve problems, that has held this nation together for over two hundred years. Government's role should be one of encouraging the American people to do what they do best, invent. We, as a nation, love challenges. Be the president that fosters a nation to flourish under the toughest times. Be the president that influences us to be compassionate not the president that incites us to frustration.

You, Mr. President are capable of this. What's Michele saying about all of this? If you were perceptive at all you probably married a wise woman, what is she saying?
Scrap the “Cash to Clunkers” as it is now. Drive this program out of the yard.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Burkholder

Response to President Obama

The other day I received the following letter from President Obama via my email. You can read it below.

I decided to respond with an email. You can also read it below. In the news the next morning I was suprised by what I read -- that voting on the health care reform has been postponed. So I thought to myself, hmmmm, now it is very unlikely that anyone really read my email. But, but, but look at what is in the news, today he's not pushing it through. Somehow I believe that all of us offering up prayers intentionally and unintentionally through the Spirit's groanings are vital, critical. I am inspired to continue my contact with Mr. President. Here we go!

The White House, Washington

Dear Friend,

If you’re like most Americans, there’s nothing more important to you about health care than peace of mind.

Given the status quo, that’s understandable. The current system often denies insurance due to pre-existing conditions, charges steep out-of-pocket fees – and sometimes isn’t there at all if you become seriously ill.

It’s time to fix our unsustainable insurance system and create a new foundation for health care security. That means guaranteeing your health care security and stability with eight basic consumer protections:

* No discrimination for pre-existing conditions
* No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays
* No cost-sharing for preventive care
* No dropping of coverage if you become seriously ill
* No gender discrimination
* No annual or lifetime caps on coverage
* Extended coverage for young adults
* Guaranteed insurance renewal so long as premiums are paid

Learn more about these consumer protections at Whitehouse.gov.

Over the next month there is going to be an avalanche of misinformation and scare tactics from those seeking to perpetuate the status quo. But we know the cost of doing nothing is too high. Health care costs will double over the next decade, millions more will become uninsured, and state and local governments will go bankrupt.

It’s time to act and reform health insurance, drive down costs and guarantee the health care security and stability of every American family. You can help by putting these core principles of reform in the hands of your friends, your family, and the rest of your social network.

Thank you,

Barack Obama


--------------------- My email response ----------------------

Dear Mr. President,

Greetings. Not sugar coating it, I am disturbed by your impatience. You must slow down. You must not run this through at this pace. We are becoming a nation of fast-made decisions that will and are destroying us. Wisdom is found in thoroughness and in time.

Go to the wise men, find them, search high and low and don't be surprised by who they are. How can anyone make decisions based on such a sizable document, the Health Care bill,within the time frame you have allotted? They can't. You must take the time, you will benefit, our nation will benefit from time. Your daughters need for you to slow down.

Make sure that you take the time to educate the American people about this reform, don't rush it through. There are so many creative ways to help the situation, look for them.

My husband and I understand the health care crunch. We own a small business. Our deductible is very high -- almost like we don't have health care insurance. We have had to go directly to the Billing Department of the Hospitals our children have been in to arrange payments. Both hospitals have worked with us. We have made decisions to not do doctor visits sometimes because of the money. But, we are healthy, we are grateful and socialism is the last thing we want in the health care arena. My husband's mother almost died in the hands of Canadian physicians because of a laissez faire attitude. Take your time, President Obama, take your time. I hope you don't parent this way!

We have discovered that our medical savings plan would likely be eliminated under your new plan. This does not bode well, Mr. President.

We will not be going to Martha's Vineyard this summer and would never be able to afford what you possibly will be able to afford there. But we will be paying for your vacation. This doesn't go down real well. You need to lead by example. Because of the tightness of money we have not had a family vacation in years. We are trying to pull off a wedding on a budget of $5000. My husband had to sell his share in a group airplane that he has been a part of for the past twenty five years.

There is money, President Obama, but where is it being spent? We, the American people are getting the picture. It seems like politics is a good money making venue. Lead by example.

I am still praying for you, you are an important person, worthy of prayer and you have my prayers! I know that in a social setting we would have much to talk about and much to laugh about. Please know that I deal in directness, let's just get it out there, but my directness is not a lack of respect.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Lynne Burkholder

Lucia Whalen - Have her over for tea...........

Breaking News: Go to Drudge Report and read "Three Amigos Get Suds"
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25592.html

Dear Mr. President,

Good morning, Mr. President. Another great day. Nothing to do with the weather, just another day to be alive~! We can't take anything for granted. I was glad to see on Thursday morning that you have decided to not rush the Health Care Reform through in the abbreviated time period but that in fact you are taking more time. I was talking to a friend the other day whose husband has not sold a new home in months and they just lost their health insurance. She said even though they are not covered currently she still doesn't want anything rushed through without giving time to our elected officials to fine comb it.

Necessity is the mother of invention, this is a time to go deep and look at the obvious ways we can change with upholding our capitalistic ways and means.

But let's move on. I think it was a great effort on your part to have a beer with the "boys" who were in the news this past week. We are all human, we all lose our cool, and I believe this is what happened to your friend. He was tired, he just wanted in, and he was vulnerable. The very thing that he has been known to uphold, an embracing view of all races, was challenged and it just so happened to make the news for whatever reason. For you to want to have them come together I think was a good move on your part. But let's talk about Lucia Whalen. Did you invite her and she declined? Or did you not think of it? Listen, all you need to do is call me and I'll help you walk through some of these issues. Sometimes you need real "common" folk like myself to help you think around the block.

Lucia Whalen now needs for you to encourage her efforts. This is not a time when someone like Lucia should be vilified and I can not imagine this is your intent. However, your silence is speaking volumes.

This is how I see it. Lucia notices two men trying to force a door open. She thinks to herself, why don't they have a key? Her brain clicks into gear and she comes to the conclusion that it is because they don't belong there. Most home owners have hidden keys on their properties, you don't often see homeowners forcing themselves into their homes. It has been reported that she did not make mention to the 911 dispatcher anyone's race. C'mon! This needs your attention. We, the American people need to be encouraged to look out for one another. Lucia needs to be thanked for making that call.

I know you will do something for her, you must. We need to be encouraged to be eyes for each other. There are Neighborhood Watches all over this nation. By your silence people might be reluctant to look out for one another. She did the right thing and because of the publicness of this event you have to do something to honor her courage and to dispel the racist comments flying her way. But don't have her for a beer, have her for a cup of tea.

Blessings on your day and remember there is no problem or situation that God does not know about, that God does not care about and that God does not have the answers for to help you make wise decisions.

Ask for wisdom like Solomon but just keep to one wife, alright?!

Sincerely,


Mrs. Burkholder

P.S. You can view our family on this website. http://authenticyouphotography.com The Burkholder Family

The Addiction-It's a Hard One to Break!

I could not bring it to bed with me last night. I had to leave it downstairs. It would have competed. I wasn't going to bring it home. I was trying to be strong. I stayed in the car keeping myself from temptation. "Girls, go ahead, I'll just wait for you out here, I'm tired." The girls left, I layed back the car seat. My eyes fluttered when I tried to keep them shut. So, I caved. I opened the car door and bolted.

I furtively looked for my daughters as I walked through the doors, good they were in another part.
It is the side room that I visit now and it is there that I give into my addiction. I can not help myself. They call, I answer. I put fifty cents into the red box affixed to the wall and it was mine. The Library is meant for borrowing but ever since this side room I often leave with a stack I will never return.

What a "find!" The title was not so much the lure, "One Man's Meat." Can you guess the author (only if you don't know, don't answer if you do) Would it be the local butcher writing his memoirs? Is it a jewish chap lamenting his dietary restrictions? No, not even close. It was the author that made me break.

E.B. White! How can you pass an E.B. White book. Just reading his sentences is an English class/Writing Seminar all lumped in one book. His writing is music.
His reason for this book intrigues me:

"One Man's Meat" was not a premeditated book, it was an accident. Two days before I left town for good, Lee Hartman, editor of "Harper's Magazine," asked me to lunch. Before the meal was over he had invited me to contribute a monthly department. He offered me three hundred dollars a month, and I accepted on the spot. This last-minute, unexpected job as a columnist was the genesis of "One Man's Meat." It turned out to be one of the luckiest things that ever happened to me. I was a man in search of the first person singular, and lo, here it was- handed to me on a platter before I even left town.

Once in everyone's lifetme there is apt to be a period when he is fully awake, instead of half asleep. I think of those five years in Maine as the time when this happened to me. Confronted by new challenges, surrounded by new acquaintances-including the characters in the barnyard, who were later to reappear in "Charlotte's Web"- I was suddenly seeing, feeling, and listening as a child sees, feels, and listens. It was one of those rare interludes that can never be repeated, a time of enchantment. I am fortunate indeed to have had the chance to get some of it down on paper."

I can not wait for free moments to s-l-o-w-l-y savor every word in every sentence. I'm gonna need a designated driver..........

Boomerangs

Love is a challenge.

I reread what I posted maybe two weeks ago, wow, good stuff.
Love, love, love, love. I set myself up didnt'I? Absolutely.

I've learned that when I pontificate on something that has just inspired me, challenged me, and equipped me for good works I place myself in the middle of a pond as a decoy duck ready for the first shot!

I call them boomerangs out of nowhere. You look to see who shot it? You can't find the thrower! You know the mechanics or physics of a boomerang right? You throw it and it comes back at ya and if it is wood, watch out!

You through out the affirmation that God is amazing, you praise him, you declare your desire to serve him wholly and back at you with lightning speed comes something that causes you to duck!

Church related issues are the absolute worse. You don't expect it, you don't plan for it and out of the blue you see it coming and you don't have time to duck.

I propose that the thrower of the boomerang is none other than the evil one, I know a little fanatical sounding but true non the less. The evil one is never out in the open , it usually stands behind your best friend, your pastor, your confidant, your husband, your children. It puts someone else in front of it to take the blame.
You know those words spoken to a person by none other than Jesus, "Stand behind me Satan."

Love, still a clear message even for a boomerang from out of nowhere!

How to be successful in just one word........

Love. A four letter word that battled the other four letter word...Hate.
Love took care of hate, destroyed the power of it.
Every time we choose love we are thanking God.
Every time we choose love we are piling up a mountain of profit that has a return rate never to be matched!


Love. A word that uses four letters.
Those four letters have the power to turn situations into memorable, life changing, exhilirating experiences never to be forgotten or underestimated.

Hate. A word that uses four letters.
Those four letters have the power to turn situations into miserable, life changing, exhausting experiences never to be forgotten or underestimated.

Hate is a harsh word but every time we choose not to love we choose to hate.
We are faced with situations daily. We are all faced with comments, looks, situations, how do we respond? Do we love or do we hate?
If we love we will be full of knowledge, full of gifts, full of profit, full of full with no failures on our record.

If we hate we will experience nothing, have nothing, know nothing, and be nothing.
A thirteenth chapter in a book in the Bible states and confirms that.

There is nothing that can be boomeranged our way that can not be handled by Love, nothing. Love endures ALL things, bears ALL things, hopes ALL things, believes ALL things. Accomplishments fail, disentigrate, dissolve, crumble without love. What you do, your college degree, your spiritual accomplishments will get you no where without love.

Love fuels, love propels, love wins ALL the time, love remains positive ALL the time, love rises above, above, above, every cultural standard of success. Love is uncontainable, love NEVER FAILS.

Do you want success?
Do you really want success?
Then for every situation that comes your way.........LOVE.
To endure, to believe, to hope, to bear ALL things because of love, that is true success.

So,instead of asking a person, "What do you do?" We should be asking, "How are you loving?"

Ain't She Something!

Sarah Palin waits for the crowd to stop clapping. She begins and I am smitten. Though I am a woman I am often annoyed by a woman's voice from a podium, either too Tammy Fayish or too clip clopish. Sarah's put my criticism mode to rest, I am free to listen. I am free to be impressed.

Look at her, look at them, her children watching their mother give an historical address. Their mother is the closest to the presidency that any woman has ever been. She crosses the political lines and reaches into the woman's heart and says, "I understand, trust me." She reaches into your heart and makes you feel like a cup of tea and chat are in order.

Her speech is clear, direct, nononsense, compassionate, inspiring, and hopeful.
She let her chef go, what??? It makes me rethink my want for a chef.
I just need to buck up.

There is something that does frustrate me about her. Her juggling act, her amazing juggling act is more than I want to see. I'm always looking for rationalizations to explain my not so organized life, not going to find them around with Missy Sara. They were pulled right out from under my fanny as I listened to this sharp chick!

I'm hers! I want to do what needs to be done to get her elected. McCain is going to have to get use to this woman taking the thunder and the lighting, she's superwoman. I want to see this woman in the White House!

Missed The Mother of the Year Award Again!

Last Monday I travel to New England with my three younger children and a teenager in need of a ride. Tuesday I find myself with my father at his regular breakfast haunt. My husband calls and I roll my eyes. "Uh, Lynn, I'm, huh, having breakfast with my Dad... Can this wait?"

This husband of mine calls me all the time, we talk all the time, we see each other all the time and lest you think I mind this, I don't. It's just that when I am with someone else who I am rarely with then I'm frankly, bothered.

Lynn waits on the other end and begins, "Kathryn has been up since four in the morning with pain on her left side, it's probably not appendicitis. She says it is also near her bellybutton."

Everything stops. The breakfast table floats off, the people blur, the moment halts.

"Let me talk to her, Lynn."
"Kathryn, what hurts?"

I am a six hour car ride from home. My three younger children are clueless as to what is brewing at home, all they know is that soon they will be going to a football size island with their cousins facing a week of water fun. How am I going to face them with the news that their vacation is pending. How am I going to get to my daughter in pain with the lightning speed my insides are screaming for?

It takes me five seconds listening to Kathryn and I say to Lynn, "She needs to be seen by our pediatrician quick." The man moves into action and fully operates in his most fatherly maternal mode. He is known for this!

I call Kathryn's sister, Robyn, who is at West Chester University, forty minutes away, and she assures me that as soon as she knows where her dad and her sister will be landing she will be there. Chris our son is at Reading Area Community College for his first day of classes. But He prepares to kick into action.

I am six hours away from my daughter and my emotions are pulled. I want to just hop in the car but I am assured by Robyn that they can handle this.

We travel to the Island and get the children settled, my mom will keep them if I must travel home. My mind is lumbering down a hospital corridor with the sickest of sick. I am imagining the worst uttered from a doctor's mouth. Not Kathryn. I am wishing for it to be appendicitis. These are the unknown moments, anything is possible, the options are strewn randomly over the table.

So many families have a day in particular when all changes and nothing will be the same. Lynn keeps me updated with each step being followed. The ultrasound is not conclusive, not enough liquid or body fat to compress to reveal. (Another reason to put off the diet) She endures a CT scan that brings her to tears. Robyn is with her during this process providing the missing female/mom component .

Lynn calls, he's worried. He's beginning to wonder. Are they telling him everything. This could be it, the dreaded moment in time when everything swirls, the foundation shifts and the landscape is unfamiliar.

The day took longer than twenty-four hours, I'm sure. The cell phone rings for the millionth time and if it were human it would have been kissed a thousand times over and embraced. "Her appendicts was swollen, it needed to come out and the surgery went well."

Chris, Robyn, and her father were there for her recovery, I was not. Three little kids waiting for the news were relieved, of course for Kathryn but in their kidway, mainly because they didn't have to hop back in the car for six long hours.

Maybe I wasn't even one of the contenders for the Mother of the Year Award, but if I was, I missed it!

Free Falling Forgiveness

I have friend, Bill Gnade, who has a blog called "Contratimes." He has asked for a response to his blog posted on August 20. It would be beneficial to read his entire post but here in essence is his question:

"Do I, as a person who seeks to be approved of God by His grace and mercy and love, forgive others ONLY if they are repentant and contrite: do I forgive them ONLY if they ask for it? Or do I just forgive liberally, without condition?

If I do forgive without condition, do I forgive like God forgives? But we already know God forgives conditionally: He will not forgive those who do not forgive others. Does God forgive those who do not want to be forgiven? Does He forgive those who do not believe they've done anything wrong or that they have any debts?"


Here is my response:
To all of the questions that you ask, I would answer with a resounding yes. Yes, I forgive those who are repentant and contrite, that’s a beautiful thing, Yes, I forgive them if they ask for it, this makes one smile. Yes, I forgive liberally and without condition. This is tough but yes, I forgive! I am free to forgive and the focus is on the freedom.

We have been offered freedom. We are free to operate in love that enables us to cut an ugly cord of bitterness that desires to strangle, kill, and defeat.

Freedom to forgive offers me the opportunity to view the world, a group, a family, a person, a situation with a perspective that allows me freedom to love. The bondage of bitterness inhibits my ability to move freely through a given day.

The mechanics of forgiveness are beyond me as is the mechanics of the car I drive, the air-conditioner in my home offering me relief, the computer that I use to communicate. I marvel at how the internal workings of my person can shift and move in a new direction with the utterance of these three words: I forgive you. I am awed that I am free to utter these words, the very words that change the internal structure and inner workings of my being and allow a complete perspective change within myself. The mechanics are all about the life hid in Christ…

There was one day in history when Jesus offered me freedom. The significance of that day is beyond beyond and the freedom of that day is tsunami like. Overwhelmingly encompassing, grace like and endless as a roaming field bathed in the setting sun.. He loved me that day, loves me this day and my love for Him is expressed by using my gift He offered me, the freedom to forgive.

His weakened body on that curse-ridden, God-awful tree powerfully created peace. That one day in history everything changed. I’ve often wondered what amazing light show beyond light show those with spiritual eyes were able to witness on that day. It was that day our physical eyes spared us from the spiritual blaze and reality that occurred. Two men were morphed, melted, fused into one and peace resulted. Up until this point in history no one had been able to accomplish this, life waited for this moment. (Eph 2:14-17)

The result of His death ushered in peace. He had forgiven all. We continue to fight forgetting peace has been created, we worry forgetting peace is here. We refuse to forgive because we are waiting for perfect alignment of circumstantial specifics completely forgetting peace has happened. There is peace and this peace allows us the freedom to forgive.

It is no longer a pursuit of peace it is the presence of peace and the infusion of peace which allows us to actively practice the forgiveness that Christ offered through reestablishing peace.

When everything is boiled down to its essence you ask yourself what is it that makes a life, a year, a month, a week, a day, a moment a good one. It is this, freedom to love, the freedom to offer forgiveness.

The freedom to love, to offer forgiveness is truly a gift. I did not work to accomplish this feat; I have no impressive degrees to dust off to show anyone the work it took me to get to this status. I can only point you to the one who accomplished what it took for me to operate in freedom, the freedom to forgive.

He loved me, he created peace for me. When I forgive I am only doing what falls in line with the biggest event in history, I am only doing what makes the most sense as a result of His tragic, forgiveness forging death…I am loving Him by forgiving you. To God be the glory great things He has done! I am free to fly above circumstantial evidence, I can forgive you.

Relationships Reigns Over Tasks

Peeking in a farmhouse kitchen window last night and caugth a glimpse of a high level meeting. You would have seen six women hunched around a kitchen table a little after eight o'clock at night discussing important issues, Children's Sunday School. We're serious about this, it's the future leaders of the local church we're concerned about. We'll be members of their congregation someday soon and we want to have a part in that.

We're discussing a curriculum that is right up our alley. Our goal has nothing to do with entertaining but instructing. This curriculum fits the bill. Our goal is intruction in the foundational truths of Christianity we refuse to bore them, that's a sin!

I'm awed by the women, their main question is, can I tweak this curriculum, can I add to it. Many teachers just want something handed to them requiring little to no work. Not these women. I have the priviledge of rubbing shoulders with them!

We have projects to lead these children though, we have mini-lessons to include, we have the church members to introduce them to, we have missionaries that we want to interview in front of them, we have church life to explain!

This is high level conversations with consequences eternal. If more people thought like this a Sunday School teacher would the most sought out after. To have a chance to make a difference in one child's life that will make a difference in a number of lives, well, I can't imagine a better pursuit!

An Amazing Woman Named Ruthie

"Jesus wants me to talk to you."
She says staring down at me.
Ooooookay.
I might think wackpack but instead I am looking at
an adorable teenager on a bus coming home from
a Bible Quizzing event in Ohio.
She sits down and relates to me her seventeen year old
brother's tragic bike accident that has left him mentally impaired.
He was influential in her life, an amazing christian
pursuing God relentlessly, now taken out of the active game,
or so we think.

This begins the give and take relationship with Ruthie.
We meet, we connect, we say goodbye and we don't see each other
for sometimes years. A time back we met again at a Bible quizzing event
and I push myself on her, "let me come over and let's do a bible study, Ruthie?!"
God had just told her she needed spiritual parents, I fell right into that one.

This is a young woman who has lived through hard times, knows them well, has grown from them. She is priceless. We meet for a number of months and again fall out of touch while she falls into love. Last night she walks in my kitchen door with her young missionary led husband, Michael. Can we find more apt names for the two of them- Ruthie willing to go where she is led by her husband Michael who shares the same name with the archangel.This couple is a couple to know and remember.

Last night they share with a room full of teenagers, grandparents, and children their vision to the Muslim world. Their perspective revs my spirit, fills my soul, inspires my imagination. They are headed to India. This is a couple who know what life is all about. They are seeking His kingdom, pushing aside the need to eek out a happiness from the American Culture they are immersed in. These are the laborers Christ passionately seeks.

I listen to Ruthie and feel as if I can literally see her maturity etched into her forehead and around her eyes. She has been through and seen much. She talks of persecution in a way that scares me but with a profoundness that rivels the woman concerned about her next manicure. She is a saleswoman and you want to buy what she has, she will lead many into missions, the writing is on the wall.

The little girl, Leah, who shares the blood of these two remarkable people is a blessed girl. I believe we'll hear about Leah. These are people worth knowing! Let's fill our homes with these gatherings inspiring all age groups to go and make disciples.

Today is Monday

Today is Monday morning, my schedule already is askew. My mind is swirling with ideas, visions of big events. My children are yelling butting in front of the visions. The yard is desperate for attention. My garden is mocking me with weeds. There is a benefit concert in the backyard on Sunday. This event is ordering everyone to put their mind to it! Am I happy or overwhelmed?

I know this one thing; I am not experiencing what another young family is going through this week. This family waits for their dad on Friday to arrive in the Adirondacks for summer fun. He doesn't and he won’t. Instead he is found dead in his home.

They drive home never to enjoy vacation fun with their daddy again this side of heaven. The mother faces dreams without him. Life brimming, waves crashing, is now a still pond.

Am I happy or overwhelmed? I will this week do one thing, I will be content.
Swirling events indicate life. I will remember that.

Scene to Avoid

“Kathryn, give me the keys.”
“Mom, I want to drive.”
“Just give me the keys.”
I come close, I hush to her,
“I don’t want to wait outside the car door
with her yelling.”
The keys are given to me.
I go to the other side of the car where underway there is a scene. I want to avoid it. I unlock, slither in, and hope I’m unnoticed. I unlock the driver’s side.

A young mom is pleading, yelling, crying for her eight to nine year old son to get in the car. He is standing in front of a woman in a wheelchair.
The woman in a wheelchair, by now I’m gathering is the grandmother. She is trying to reason with him. He seems to be seeking moral support from her.

As I struggle with my moral dilemma, do I pray with her or pray to God, all I want is Kathyrn to head for dodge, inside I’m screaming for her to bolt. I’m looking like a ninny, a whimp. Hopefully I’m the only one who is noticing.

NOT! Kathryn, my sixteen year old, suggests I pray with this lady.

I take a deep, yoga, long held, breath. I know what my Savior calls me to do. I read about this in his Word. I talk about this to my Sunday School Children. Now a real life application confronts me and I go and treat it as if I am in a Cafeteria a la carte line. Maybe another situation will present me with an opportunity, hopefully hypothetical, but for now Kathryn really should get out of this parking lot so that she can get to work on time.

I roll down the window.
“Mam, Can I pray with you.”
She’s at my window in no time.
I put my arms around her and pray.
She is melting in my arms. Her son, the woman in a wheelchair, the other older woman sitting in the car are watching, quietly.

“Thank you so much. That is the nicest
Thing anyone has ever done for me. I am so sorry
For the scene.”

I look at her with my eyebrows apologetically raised and
Point to my sixteen year old.
“It was her idea.”

She looks beyond me and thanks Kathryn.
She tells me her name and her son’s name and we share
A few more words. She does go to church.
She is a beautiful young mom with challenges that
Today seemed overwhelming.

As we finally drive out of the parking lot
I thank Kathryn for pushing me.
I feel like a real live Anne Kiemel from the ‘70’s.

Oh, the opportunities I have missed
and Oh, today the opportunity seized
because my sixteen year old pushed me into it!

“ A little child will lead them.” Isaiah 11:6

Soundman, Ben

My son, Geoffrey, is THE gift giver, especially for his female friends. Yesterday is no exception. He arranges with his friend, Lauren, who turned fourteen last week, to pick her up. He’s taking her to see Wall-E for her 2008 birthday present. I have learned that in this arena Geoffrey, all of eleven, knows best and it behooves me to follow his lead. However, much to his dismay I invite his sister, Nicole. She and I over the past month have been discussing our need to see this flick. He will live.

We pass between the four of us popcorn and soda. After the previews we’re looking at emptiness, thank goodness for free re-fills. We sit back in our seats, ready for entertainment. This film is no exception; Pixar, again, takes us to a place where the line of reality and animation are blurring.

I come home. I have to read about the birth of this film. Relationships, love, a craving for leisure and it’s ill effects, need to care for our surroundings are obvious thoughts fueling this film. But what is in Jim Morris’ head or Andrew Stanton of “Nemo” fame? What is their message? I read a polished newsfeed and I’m distracted from my pursuit. I am rabbit trailed down another path- the creation of the sounds for the film.

Sounds fascinate me and my boys as well. My older son, Chris, marvels me with his depiction of sounds indicative of keen listening. His brothers are following suit. There’s a lot of sound in this household of eight.

Though sounds intrigue me, when I watch movies I think nothing of them. The sounds accomplish their goal in augmenting, highlighting, and supporting the message of the film. While watching a movie I could care less about their origins. Sound happens. Or so I thought.

Have you heard (pun intended) of Ben Burtt, the sound man? Of course you have not and if you have your one of those interesting people who I need to invite for dinner. Most of the “iconic noises” in Star Wars and E.T. were his creation. I read this about him and I envision him in front of a computer pushing buttons. I am a product of Suburbia. Milk comes from supermarkets, sound comes from computers. Sad state of affairs.

E.T.’s “guttural grunts," are from Ben recording his wife, suffering from a cold, sleeping! Did she know this? Fun Beans! For R2D2’s bleeps he enlists the aid of water pipes and whistles. Ben huffs and puffs into a scuba diving mask and unlike the wolf doesn’t destroy but creates Darth Vader’s heavy breathing.

This man amazes me. He has recordings from his childhood that he uses in every Sci-Fi film, recordings of his grandfather’s shortwave radio. Oh, for a world of curious children. We benefit from a little boy’s fascination and exploration of sound. Oh, for mothers who allow their children to follow their interests.

Ben Burtt, for all the bizarre, sci-fi sounds he creates would be passed by on a street. There is nothing about his persona, his look that would attract attention. Listening to a YouTube interview of sounds from StarWars made me smirk at this average guy. His speech was close to monotone. But his sounds intrigue, inspire, and I need to find out more.

Burkholder 2008 Reunion

Gas prices rising, too many people you will not connect with on the level, not enough time, this all seems to lead to one conclusion; staying home looks like the better option. Traveling out to Ohio to the Burkholder 2008 Reunion seems pointless. The words are flying out of my mouth right into the ears of my in-laws. This is traitor material, this is a killjoy daughter-in-law.

I cheerlead constantly. High road, let's travel it, grumblers all end up at the same spot and here I am heading in their direction. This is not a cheerleading moment for me now, I am the designated downer!

My mother in law sadly looks at me. She reminds me of the value of family reunions. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I grow concerned at my cynicsm, what is happening? I love meeting people, I love discovering other's lives, I know how to question, I enjoy ferreting interesting facts from people. If it weren't for those rising gas prices I would be persuading, "C'mon we'll make the trip fun, this is family..." But my faith is tested, as the gas prices rise my faith is going down. You know the song.

Then He hits me between the eyes, the clarity of vision is 20/20. He will not allow me to see from hindsight the benefit of the Burkholder 2008 Reunion of twelve siblings with their families and extended families. He wants me in the front row and He will bless our efforts to road trip in hard times.

We are the host family this year. The flow of the reunion lies in our hands. Big events are what fill me with energy, lots of energy, here is a big event of a lifetime. The reunion is small and only 160 or so are registered, small??? I begin to research the name of my eighty year old father-in-law's father, David O. Burkholder. Jackpot, he is successfully goggled.

David O. Burkholder is a man to know. I start to print from a Beachy Mennonite site about my husband's grandfather. I am ticked, why doesn't Lynn,my husband, know this stuff, our children need to know this man. I am pulled into a stream of history awed at my lack of initial insight and grateful to God for pulling me up short. (my status in life in more ways than one)

Today there is a Youth event still in existence from sixty years ago David O.Burkholder had a significant part in birthing . His name is everywhere on this site. I spot a catechism written by Peter Burkholder from a time zone that seems so far away. This too is a relative of my husband. My interest, my excitement mounts.

We travel to Ohio where we will host the Burkholder 2008 Reunion at Rosedale, a place I hear so much about. Our trip is tandem with Lynn's sister and husband. Jim, my brother-in-law winds our way to a park for a lunch break. We eat, relish in each other and talk reunion. We are traveling out a day early to be in front of the power curve, it's about time.

Rosedale is peace, a presence of God is inhaled. The flat lands are vast, endless, expansive and all I see is a picture of God's grace. Big Al who runs Rosedale with the most kicked back buisness savy I have ever seen is showing us our welcoming accomdations. This is going to be a weekend that will last beyond the earthly time restraints of forty-eight hours. We have front row seats.

We unpack, laugh, talk constantly amongst ourselves, no one feeling vanclempt.
We hop in our suburbans to seek out the best pizza place in town. To have customers, and a lot of them, hailing in near closing time has to be quintessentially bitter/sweet. They are gracious pizza makers and good at it to boot.

The next morning we set up "Headquarters." Reunions have hit the techno stage and ours is no exception. Two computers and a printer and we are ready to register. We discover we love this, is it the power of telling people where their rooms are? Is it the thrill of scheduling events for over 160 people, we are in the lead? You bet! This was too much fun for a family to have on any given weekend.

No one could ever guess my pathetic intial reunion thoughts as I learn to know my husband's amazing family. I have questions that my father-in-law and I have created enabling the children to know their grandparents. I am Master's of Ceremony for Burkholder Sibling's Reminiscing. How did I get this priviledge? I grabbed it, no hiding that.

I come away from that weekend, an entire week later I am still running on the fuel that I refueled with at the Burkholder Reunion. You want to know something crazy? This was the weekend the gas prices dropped! Again I learn that circumstances are not the directors, the Living God directs despite them!

Tradegy Strikes Again

Smoke is billowing in the valley and Lynn tells me it is Andy's produce shed. Fire engines are racing towards the smoke and I know why. I rarely know why. Fire engines howl past our home all the time leaving me curious,oh for a scanner. But I know now,not again! This family....I start to make calls.

Andy is young, in his late sixties (I'm guessing), has had some bypass surgery (don't quote me,medical stuff I always botch)and suffers with diabetes. He moves slow, he talks slow but don't let that fool you! His insides are that of an eager twenty year old ready to tackle new ideas, new means and ways! His humor is intack and he sees life through that lense. Talking with Andy is a savored pleasure, he is honest, silly, serious, and loves Jesus with deeds. There is always someone living with Andy and his wife Lucille, always.

Later in the evening, around nine, I drive up their lane to their newly built home (wonder how long it's been built). Andy with two other men are sitting at his kitchen table. He smiles, it takes him a while to direct his face to do what his insides are commanding. I ask what in the world. He answers, "God is trying to slow me down." Is that what first came to you I ask him. He shakes his head smiling, not the first but maybe the second....

Slowly this man races through a day with a todo list that would scare a vibrant young man. He comes home at nine after grading peppers. This day he was in Hershey. His wife didn't want him to go, but he did anyway. He wanted to hear about the latest pepper and cantalope varieties. This is one of the most innovative farmers in the Twin Valley region. If I were a farmer I would be asking Andy many questions grabbing any information I could.

In the morning hours delivering peppers to an auction he stops along the way and purchases flowers for his wife. His grandson, soon off on a mission trip, asks him why he does this. Andy tells him it's good to scare up flowers for your wife. Little does Andy know that these flowers would come to her at the end of a very bad day.

Lucille, his unique wife, is a chaplain at a local retirement center, a missionary's child spending more time in Africa in her formative years than America. Her day has been spent relishing in God's goodness. Acme accepts their peppers, her faith mounts. The hail the day before has blemished them slightly,they have put a lot of money in this crop, and she was nervous!She ends her day at a tent meeting,it is here word comes to her of the fire.

The kitchen table is now filling up with more people. Lucille returns home from her day with her dear intercessory friend, Becky. Glenn whose daughter has married Andy and Lucille's son sits down, the pastor leads us in prayer. Church, pure church. I am priviled to be in the midst of a couple with a community represented by hands holding one another's hands honoring God in the midst of the rubble.

This is not the first fire that this couple experiences. This is not their first tradegy. They are veterans, polished sufferers and they know what comes first. Prayer. Lucille utters her understanding that the decisions they face in the morning will be varied and difficult but she and Andy know who will guide them and first comes first, prayer.

Who are the people of substance in your life that offer hope in the midst of a fire? They don't have time to seek you out, they are busy walking the road Jesus laid out for them. Find them and with the love of Jesus they will welcome you in their life and allow you front row seats to see hope mount from tragedy.

Why the Game?

Yadayadayada, sugarysweet, sugarysweet,yuk, yuk, yuk, yuk! "Friends are like a garden, full of variety........you'd never believe what my child did, put my big shoes on and pranced around the house, my four year old decided to write with a big magic marker on our freshly painted wall, but knowing that time is fleeting I decided that this was a memory and not going to be a scar".................can I read another word without hurling? Was I ever able to read without highly criticizing? Was there a time when I could read and enjoy? Oh, please why can't I be accepting? And who made me the literary critic,the potential publisher?

I am pathetic, have always been and always will be. I don't give an inch and yet require miles. But what is actually behind my criticism is an intense need for "REALNESS." Can we all just be honest, must we play this game all the time. "Youhoo, look at me over here, let me tell you about what an awful day I had and let me tell you about all my yukky feelings throughout the day and then let me tell you about how it ended so well, you're gonna really love it, and then you're gonna suggest to your publisher friend that they publish my 'honesty.'"

We dance, we prance, we move like we're the best thing going in a humble pie frolic and all of this in front of hurting people who know far more than those of us who continue to play the game. Can we let down our guards and just admit to one another, "don't have it together, but let me tell you what I like about you!" We truly and really are not "something." In our need to draw attention we try to disguise it so that we can look modest, demure, not self-seeking and yet if the blowhorn that we are really blowing would sound, our eardrums would be history.

I am a mom. Yesterday I was on the computer and on the phone more than I was talking with my children. My twenty year old was home and I wasn't, so to speak. I rummaged through the refrigerator and fed myself. I did not make a main meal for my family, regularity is not my forte. My son calls our home a "hippie home".....ummm O.k.?! I hopped on my bike and rode to a meeting. It felt so good to be at this meeting with the children at home doing who knows what?

I went to bed not feeling as if the loose ends were moored to a sturdy dock and woke up knowing it even more. And you know the sad thing about this? You're thinking it! Maybe I'm doing exactly what I am outraged by, do you hear my blaring blowhorn?! Help me Rhonda!

Road Trips

Tomorrow I head to a retreat in Virginia. I have no idea where the retreat is, not even sure of the town's name, something "Hill...." I am intrigued by the location, the hills of Virginia, and that is why I'm going. I plan on taking a plethora of reading material,look forward to sitting and staring, and eventually meeting new people. I'm sick of the same old same old, I just need a break.

A road trip appeals to me. You drive and pass through towns that carry on without you every day and that fascinates me. I mentally travel everywhere during the day and to actually travel, can't wait.

It's the road trips taken as a child that's created this. I love night traveling. The pulling up to a gas station and drowsily looking out the window at the lights so insanely bright. The listening to your mother paw through her cavern of a purse, the sound of the plastic as she touches everything trying to locate the cash to hand to your dad waiting by her window. The smell of gas intoxicating and obnoxious all at the same time. You could just take it in because you are sprawled out in the backseat with no expectations to pump.

The lights of a town or city during the night are so enchanting. The lights indicate life yet no life to be seen as we pull in for gas at 2:00 a.m.

How about the place you've never been to which looks interesting in the night because of a lack of light. You wake up and the mystery is revealed, so different than imagined. That's what I enjoy about nighttime arrivals.

You finally arrive, the sound is consistent every time as the keys are extracted . Your mother collects her plastic purse which again squeaks with a predictable sound and the security of coming home is topped off by your dad carrying to your bed.

Tomorrow, I travel as an adult,I will not be carried in, Dad will not be there but the memories will travel alongside me all the way to the hills of Virginia.

The Dream

Last night in my dream my father was driving us in a oversized station wagon to go tubing. This was not tubing on a lake, not on a river but tubing on the ocean. As dreams often lack sense, there was snow on the ground and we were heading in the wrong direction. He decides to turn around on a train track. We're fearful that the car is going to get stuck on the tracks in the distance we see a train coming. I feel panic, we're going to be hit by a train. Finally my Dad skillfully manuvers us off the tracks and rescues us out of that dangerous spot.

The house by the ocean where we will tube is on a cliff, you have to walk down to the shore to put in your tubes. I am nervous about this entire set-up, tubing in the ocean, it does not seem safe.

I wake up, I am elated, my dream has ended.
I have a sinking feeling, and the thought hits me, there are too many people who will wake up minus the elation. The unthinkable, the nonsensical has become reality. One beautiful Sunday afternoon a Tsnami has crashed in on their dreams and made their safe world a surreal nightmare.